Lancaster in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Rowlandson Rock
Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, July 25, 2010
1. Rowlandson Rock Marker
Rowlandson rock is the site where captives such as Mary Rowlandson, her son, and others from Lancaster, spent their first night. The Indians holding them captive had just raided and burnt the Rowlandson Garrison and all of the buildings in town.
Any person that did not escape, was killed or held captive.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian • Women. In addition, it is included in the King Philip's War 1675-1676 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 10, 1675.
Location. 42° 26.727′ N, 71° 42.02′ W. Marker is in Lancaster, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. It can be reached from Winsor Road east of George Hill Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is deep in the woods, about 400 feet north of two large water towers at the end of Winsor Road, off George Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 149 Winsor Rd, Lancaster MA 01523, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Quiet Corner and in Greater Worcester. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Rowlandson Rock (approx. Ύ mile away); Lancaster (approx. 0.9 miles away); Sawyer-Carter Bridge (approx. 1.1
this page online
Regarding Rowlandson Rock. On February 10, 1675/6, during King Philips War, Indian raiders led by Nipmuc sachem Monoco attacked Lancaster, MA, and carried off 24 hostages. One was Mary Rowlandson, the ministers wife, who later wrote a detailed narrative of her ordeal. (The year was written as 1675 in colonial times, when each new year was considered to begin in March, but today we would call it 1676.)
Several other markers in central Massachusetts identify further sites to which Mary Rowlandson was moved during her 82 days of captivity.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Mary Rowlandson. More about
Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, July 25, 2010
2. The Rock Itself with Marker in Front
2. The Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson.
Whereunto are annexed A Map of her Removes & Biographical & Historical Notes(Submitted on April 26, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Internet Archive
3. Rowlandſon Rock,
ſummit of George Hill,
looking East upon Lancaſter,
ſummit of George Hill,
looking East upon Lancaſter,
From The Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, First Printed in 1682 at Cambridge, Massachusetts, & London, England. Reprinted in facsimile, 1903 published by J. Wilson Cambridge and Son.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 2,836 times since then and 91 times this year. Last updated on May 4, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. 3. submitted on November 11, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
